Ep 15 | Books That Form Us: Six Summer Reads for Growth, Leadership, and Worldview

Ep 15 | Books That Form Us: Six Summer Reads for Growth, Leadership, and Worldview

What makes a book truly formative? In this summer reading episode, Roger and Maggie each share three books that have challenged, stretched, encouraged, and reshaped the way they think about leadership, creativity, worldview, faith, and everyday life. From classic literature to leadership development to spiritual formation, these recommendations go far beyond typical "professional development" reads to shaping our worldview. In this episode, they discuss: * Why creativity is part of being made in the image of God * What the Inklings can teach us about collaboration and feedback * How service-learning transforms education * Why Frankenstein is far deeper — and more relevant — than most people realize * The importance of joy-centered leadership * How everyday routines can become spiritually formative moments Whether you're looking for a meaningful summer read, ideas for personal growth, or simply enjoy thoughtful conversations about books, this episode is full of practical insight and rich reflection. Books Mentioned * Bandersnatch — Diana Glyer * Bring It to Life — Roger Erdvig & Lynn Swaner * Naming the Animals — Stephen Roach * Every Moment Holy — Douglas McKelvey * Frankenstein — Mary Shelley * Rare Leadership — Marcus Warner & Jim Wilder

Ep 14 | Why Biography Matters: Shaping Hearts Through Story with Champ Thornton

How do biographies shape worldview, desires, and spiritual formation? In this episode, Roger and Maggie sit down with author and Crossway [https://www.crossway.org?utm_source=chatgpt.com] publisher Champ Thornton to explore the formative power of biography, storytelling, and Christian imagination. Champ shares how a single worldview book deeply reshaped his thinking, why biographies are uniquely powerful tools for discipleship, and how his new children's biography series seeks to help young readers love truth, goodness, and beauty. In this conversation, they discuss: * How Creation Regained by Albert Wolters transformed Champ's understanding of worldview * Why worldview formation begins with shaping desires, not just transferring information * The importance of helping children become curious lifelong learners * Why biographies are "efficient reads" that combine history, theology, psychology, and story * How compelling Christian biographies can help students see themselves in the lives of faithful believers * The challenge of writing biographies that are honest, engaging, and age-appropriate * Why Christian education needs stories that capture students' hearts, not just their minds Champ also shares insight into his growing Lives of Faith and Grace biography series for middle-grade readers, including books on: * John Bunyan * Corrie ten Boom * Martin Luther * C. S. Lewis * Eric Liddell * Elisabeth Elliot and more. This episode is full of encouragement for teachers, parents, school leaders, and anyone who wants to help young people grow into faithful, thoughtful followers of Christ. Resources Mentioned * Creation Regained — Albert Wolters * The Really Radical Book for Kids — Champ Thornton * Lives of Faith and Grace biography series from Crossway Publishers — Champ Thornton

Ep 13 | On the Edge of Our Seats: What We've Observed in Classrooms in 2025–26

What does authentic biblical worldview immersion actually look like in real classrooms? In this episode of Teach Biblically, Roger Erdvig and Maggie Pope pull back the curtain on nearly 300 classroom visits completed during the 2025–26 school year. Rather than focusing on theory, they share real examples of what they've seen teachers doing well—and where important opportunities for worldview formation are being missed. From elementary Bible classes to high school math classrooms, Roger and Maggie unpack how seemingly small instructional choices can profoundly shape students' habits of thinking, relationships, ownership, and heart formation. The conversation highlights a central conviction of Biblical Worldview Immersion: teachers do not need to reinvent their lessons or force spiritual conversations into every moment. Instead, they can intentionally harness what they are already doing to cultivate the dispositions and skills of lifelong worldview formation. Resources & Links * Standards for Worldview Formation: www.summit.org/standards

Ep 12 | Don't Underestimate Preschool: Building a Biblical Worldview from the Very Beginning

Can preschoolers really understand the big story of Scripture? In this episode of Teach Biblically, Roger Erdvig and Maggie Pope are joined by preschool ministry leader Renee Blaine to explore how biblical worldview formation begins earlier than most schools realize. Far from "babysitting," preschool classrooms are a critical place to lay the foundation for how students understand truth, identity, and the story of the Bible. Renee shares practical ways to teach young children the biblical metanarrative—creation, fall, redemption, and restoration—in developmentally appropriate and engaging ways. Through repetition, movement, storytelling, and simple visual tools, preschoolers begin to see how every Bible story fits into God's larger story—and how their own lives fit within it. If we want students to grow into a strong, lasting faith, we can't wait until middle or high school. Formation starts at the very beginning. Resources & Links * Video explaining how to use the Gospel Story Cube [https://youtu.be/q89WkxOlUfg?si=PiKEATaGV27T55Z0] (https://youtu.be/q89WkxOlUfg?si=PiKEATaGV27T55Z0 [https://youtu.be/q89WkxOlUfg?si=PiKEATaGV27T55Z0]) * Files to create and use the Gospel Story Cube [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NHfxZNn5Fdw8qMbFtai4ADwVj7z2EXUN?usp=sharing] (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NHfxZNn5Fdw8qMbFtai4ADwVj7z2EXUN?usp=sharing [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NHfxZNn5Fdw8qMbFtai4ADwVj7z2EXUN?usp=sharing]) * Summit Ministries: https://www.summit.org/ [https://www.summit.org/]

Ep 11 | Why the Arts Matter: Biblical Worldview Formation Through Story and Performance

How do the arts shape a student's worldview? In this episode of Teach Biblically, Roger Erdvig and Maggie Pope explore how music, drama, and storytelling play a critical role in biblical worldview formation. More than extracurricular activities, the performing arts engage students' imagination, shape their desires, and help them step into meaningful stories. Joined by Marlene Dickinson of Faith-Based Student Musicals, this conversation highlights how students don't just learn truth through the arts—they experience it. By participating in story, students explore themes like redemption, sacrifice, and hope, connecting deeply to the larger biblical narrative of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. If you want students to not just think biblically but live faithfully, the arts are a powerful place to start. Resources & Links * Faith-Based Student Musicals: https://www.faithbasedstudentmusicals.com/ [https://www.faithbasedstudentmusicals.com/] Summit Ministries: https://www.summit.org/ [https://www.summit.org/]